Chapter 5 Artes.

This academic program exposed

students to five learning areas, namely:
1. Christian Doctrine;
Rizal entered Ateneo Municipal when he was
barely 11 years old, and four months after the 2. Language- Spanish, Latin, Greek, and
execution of the Gomburza. His father decided French
not to send him at the Colegio De San Juan
3. History and Geography – World History and
because of the unhappy experience of his
Geography and History of Spain and the
brother Paciano had. His father wanted to send
Philippines
him to Letran but later on decided to have him
enrolled at Ateneo Municipal, formerly known 4. Mathematics and Sciences- Arithmetic,
as Escuela Pia. Rizal’s completion of the geometry, trigonometry, mineralogy, chemistry,
Bachiller en Artes at Ateneo Municipal entitled physics, botany, and zoology
him for admission to higher studies at a
university. His mother was opposed to Rizal’s 5. Class Discipline- poetry, rhetoric, and
pursuit of higher education for fear of what philosophy
might happen to him due to the martyrdom of Secondary courses: agriculture, commerce,
Gomburza. mechanics, and surveying.
Enrollment at Ateneo Students were required to hear masses in the
morning before the start of classes. Classes
Rizal took the entrance examination at the
were usually began and ended with prayers.
Colegio De San Juan De Letran on June
10,1872. Paciano accompanied him, when he To stimulate the spirit of competition among the
took the said exam, which covered reading, students for excellence in academics, teachers
arithmetic, and catholic doctrines. enforced a program of dividing a class into two
competing empires: The Romans and
After passing the qualifying examination, Rizal
Carthaginians.
sought admission at the Ateneo Municipal.
Rizal was refused entry into the institution for Roman Empire: Boarding students at Ateneo
two reasons: late resigtrant and he was very
Carthaginian Empire: Non-boarding students
frail and undersized for his age.
Both empires had their ranks and dignitaries,
Father Magi Fernando, the college registrar,
namely emperor, the best scholar; followed by
was a t first very firm in denying Rizal
a tribune, Decurion, centurion, and the
admission. Nonetheless, due to the
standard bearer.
intervention of Manuel Burgos, the college
registrar finally admitted the young Jose. Rizal In months time, Rizal emerged as the emperor
did not use the surname Mercado. He in his class, a title given to the brightest in the
registered as Jose Rizal because his original class
surname had ring a bell to the ears of the
The method of instruction Rizal was subjected
authorities then due to Paciano’s association
to at Ateneo was the ratio studiorum, a system
with one of the leaders of the secularization
of indoctrination under tight and constant
movement, Father Burgos.
discipline, with every incentive of compensation
The Atenean System of Education and reward.

Offered a six-year program that entitled a Atenean education pursued one aim “Ad
student to the academic title, Bachiller en majorem Dei gloriam or For the greater glory of
God”
The ultimate task of Jesuit teachers was to Heart of Jesus. Moreover, he sustained the
make lifelong catholics. physical fitness training he started under his
Tio Manuel. It was through his uncle that Rizal
was able to learn gymnastics and fencing,
which greatly helped him to develop his weak
and frail body.
Academics Performance at Ateneo
Rizal studied at Ateneo from 1872 to 1877. His
scholastic record revealed his commendable Literary works at Ateneo
academic performance as a secondary
Rizal was able to produce a number of poems.
student.
The first poem he wrote as a student was
Rizal passed the oral examination on March entitle “Mi Primera inspiracion” (My First
14,1877. He graduated with the degree, Inspiration), which was dedicated to his mother
Bachiller en Artes, with the highest academic on the occasion of the latter’s natal day, which
honors. Rizal’s academic triumph can be according to some was allegedly written by his
attributed to three factors: racial pride, cousin.
monastic discipline, and seclusion of boarding
Another was entitled “Un Recuerdo de Mi
school life.
Pueblo” (In Memory of my Town), which is the
Because of racial jealousy, he exerted foregoing poem way of paying homage to his
extraordinary efforts to prove his Spanish birthplace, Calamba.
classmates that the Filipino students can
Poems on religion an education
compete with them academically.
- Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus)
Extra-Curricular Activities at Ateneo - La Alianza Intima Entre Religion Y la
He became a member and eventually an officer Buena Educacion (The intimate Alliance
in the religious confraternities at Ateneo- Between religion and good education)
Sodality of Our Lady; and Apostleship of - Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre la
Prayer, which were opened only to students Patria (Through Education the country
who demonstrated the highest degree of receives light)
scholarship and leadership. He also joined the The poem Al Nino Jesus was an ode written by
Academy of Spanish Literature and the Rizal during his student days, when he was 14
Academy of Natural Sciences. years old. This poem was his expression of his
Through Father Francisco Paula de Sanchez, devotion to Catholicism, which his mother
he succeeded in developing his skills in poetry implanted in his heart and was strengthened by
writing. his schooling at Ateneo.

Rizal took special lessons at the Convent Rizal compared education to a lighthouse,
School of Santa Isabel. His study of poetry considering that it can guide people in their
resulted not only in the production of poems on behaviors and actions. Rizal singled out the
religion, education, and childhood experiences. benefits that a country and its people can reap
It elevated his feelings, patriotic sentiments, from a wise or prudent education. He believed
and exquisite sensitivity. that through education the country could have
a pool of educated youth who can steer it to
Rizal took painting lessons under Agustin Saez progress. Moreover, through education the
and Sculpture lessons under Teodoro youth of the country can be directed towards
Romualdo de Jesus. Rizal was able to carve the path of virtue and rectitude.
the image of the Virgin Mary and the Sacred
The message of the poem was very clear, that when he passed the final examination in this
the people have to seek knowledge. They need course.
to seek knowledge in order to become
After his freshmen year, Rizal shifted his
enlightened individuals, who could be
course from philosophy and letters to medicine.
instrumental in elevating the country into a
This was brought about by declining enrollment
position of prestige and honor. Prudent
for the Philosophy and Letters course and the
education, therefore, consists of three vital
increase of students enrolling in medicine. The
components:
first graduated of the College of Medicine and
- Education for truth and knowledge, Pharmacy at the UST readily found jobs in the
- Education for refinement, government, as this was encouraged by
- And education for love of one’s country. Governor-General Domingo Moriones. He was
advised by Father Ramon to purse the course.
La Alianza Intima Sobre Religion y la Buena
Education, shows the importance of religion to Academic Performance at UST
education. Education not centered on God
cannot be considered true education. As Close examination of his scholastic record from
implied from the poem, religion serves as a 1878 to 1882, attest to his mediocre
guide and nourishment to true education. performance then
Rizal did not enjoy his schooling. Medical
Influences of Schooling at Ateneo on
education was certainly harder than Bachiller
Rizal en Artes and he was comfortable for the arts
Rizal was conferred the degree of Bachiller en and humanities compared to science.
Artes on March 23, 1867. For five years, Rizal Rizal spent a lot of time with his fellow boys
was able to imbibe the Jesuit values of with whom they formed an organization called
fairness, justice, and reason. “El Compañeros”, which was inspired by the
Enrollment at the University of Santo Three Musketeers of Alexander Dumas.
Tomas Rizal was also a member of Compañeros de
Jehu”, which was inspired by the Frenchmen
His former Jesuit mentors were suggesting that
who opposed the French Revolution.
Rizal should take either priesthood or farming.
Rizal considered going into literature, law, or Rizal’s less than excellent performance can
medicine. His brother Paciano discourage him also be attributed to the exciting distraction of
to take law because of the political conditions youth he experienced as a student in Manila.
in the country. Rizal became fascinated with women during
his student days at UST. At first, he became
Rizal enrolled the course Philosophy and
infatuated with Segunda Katigbak of Batangas,
Letters, during his freshmen at UST. In the first
whom he visited often in her boarding house
place, the said course was what his father
frequently. When he learned that Segunda was
wanted him to pursue. Secondly, his decision
to be married, he turned his eyes on other
to enroll in the said course could also be
women. In fact, at that time, he was courting
attributed to his failure to solicit the advice of
Leonor Orang Valenzuela and Leonor Rivera.
Father Ramon Pablo, the rector of Ateneo, who
Oran was already engaged with another man,
was then in Mindanao at that time.
Rizal concentrated his efforts on Leonor
He found himself taking up courses in Rivera, his first cousin. There was also another
Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and woman name Vicenta y Bardolaza whom he
History of Philosophy. He conferred the title on courted simultaneously with the two Leonors.
November 25,1881 since he was underage
Liberalism and Filipino Student at b. first expression of the nationalistic
UST concept that the Filipinos were the fair
hope of the motherland.
The influx of liberal ideas can be attributed to
Can be considered Rizal’s first testimony of his
- The ending of the Spanish Civil wars nationalism. He clearly referred to the
- Opening of the Suez Canal Philippines as his motherland, Mi Patria.
- Opening of the Philippine to world trade Spanish failed to recognize the political
implication of the poem. Rizal, therefore, was
the first Filipino, considering that he was the
first to call the country his motherland.
The student in Manila came to be affected by Poem related to the role of the youth in nation
entry of these liberal ideas in the country. They building. He called the youth, The Fair Hope of
desired to understand and explain everything. the Motherland (La Bella Esperanza de la
This stemmed from their exposure to three Patria Mia).
important revolutions of the 19th century
Challenge to youth:
1. Revolution of the senses against the
- Cultivate their talents in the arts
other worldliness of monasticism
- Develop their knowledge of the sciences
2. Revolution of human reason against the
- To look forward and break their chain of
comforting certitudes of the catechism
bondage
3. Revolution of race and nation against
inequality and subjection El Consejo de los Dioses
Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila - Entry in 1880.
- Allegory in praise of Cervantes as a co-
- Organization of art lovers in the city,
equal of Homer and Virgil.
conducted regular competition in literary
- Upon discovering that its author was a
writing
Filipino decided to confer the grand
Rizal joined the contests sponsored by this prize to a Spaniard.
association in 1879 and 1880.
Rizal was able to disprove the alleged
Important Literacy Works as a superiority of the Spaniards over the Filipino
University Student and to prove that the Filipinos can compete
with other races in a fair play.
Three of the best literary works Rizal wrote as
a university students were the following: Junto al Pasig

La Juventud Filipina - One-act play, written by Rizal at the

request of the Jesuits and was staged at
- Entry in 1879 literary contest of Lieco Ateneo, in connection with the
Artistico de Manila. celebration of the Feast Day of
- Won grand prize in the competition, with Immaculate Conception.
Rizal receiving a silver quill for - This play can be considered as a
demonstrating his prowess in poetry. prophecy of 50 years of revolution,
- Classic in Philippine literature for two invasion after invasion, defeat,
reasons subjugation and civil tumult.
a. first great poem in Spanish written by - It can be interpreted as a purely
a Filipino religious allegory, as the play depicted
Leonido, together with a choir of angels
 successfully driving Satan and his devils were the real purposes of Rizal’s voyage to
out of the land. Europe:
A Filipinas - To make a name for himself in the realm
of journalism
- Sonnet written by Rizal in 1880 to not
- To observe and study European society;
only to praise the Philippines for its
and
beauty but to encourage Filipino artists
- To prepare himself for the task of
to glorify the country through their art
liberating the Filipinos from Spanish
works.
tyranny.

First Taste of Spanish Brutality

Rizal had his taste of Spanish brutality during
his first summer vacation at Calamba after his
freshman year at UST. While he was walking in Chapter 6
the street, he failed to see the man passing by
Rizal’s Secret Departure
owing to the darkness of the night. Because he
was not able to recognize the man, who Rizal left Calamba on May 01,1882 and was
happened to be Lieutenant of the Guardia Civil, able to reach Manila after ten hours of journey
Rizal did not bother to salute nor greet him. via a carromata.
Since, the Lieutenant was expecting that he be
Rizal stayed in Manila for two days before his
treated with respect and courtesy by everybody
trip to Spain.
in the town, what he did was to whip out his
sword and slashed it as Rizal’s back. Rizal was Itinerary to Spain
wounded.
From Manila, the Salvadora sailed for
He sent a written complaint to Governor- Singapore. He tried to observe people and
general Primo de Rivera about the incident. things around him and noted many Spanish-
Nothing positive came out from his complaint. speaking travelers spoke ill of the country.
This incident left a deep impression on Rizal.
Cognizant of his dignity, and of his ability to Rizal stayed at Singapore for two days.
compete with a Spaniard on equal terms, he From Singapore, Rizal boarded the ship
found that as an Indio, he was not accorded Djemnah, which shall ferry him to France. The
equality with a Spaniard before the bar of streamer reached Naples on June 11,1882.
justice. Rizal was impressed with Naples, an Italian
city, for its panoramic beauty and lively people.
Decision to go to Europe
From Naples, the streamer sailed to France. It
After completing his fourth year in the medical
docked at the harbor of Marseilles on June
course, Rizal decided to leave the country for
12,1882.
Europe. Rizal was to leave the country to
complete his medical course in Barcelona, From Marseilles, Rizal took the train to
Spain. Barcelona. At first, Rizal had a negative
impression of the city and its people. Later, he
Rizal was going to Europe not just to complete
came to like Barcelona due to the prevalence
his medical studies there. It can be inferred
of freedom and liberalism in the city and the
from Paciano’s letter to Rizal that the following
good qualities demonstrated by its residents - Rizal and the Filipino Expatriates in
Open heartedness, hospitality, and courage. Madrid
Rizal in Barcelona Rizal met Pedro Paterno, Graciano Lopez
Rizal was welcomed by the Filipinos in Jaena, Gregorio Sanciangco, Juan Luna, Felix
Barcelona, most of who were his former Resureccion Hidalgo, Marcelo Del Pilar, and
schoolmates at Ateneo Miunicipal. more. He became more closely associated with
Jaena and Del Pilar. The three of them later
El Amor Patrio on, came to be called the Triumvirate of the
Propaganda Movement.
The first of these articles was the essay
entitled, El Amor Patrio or Love of Country. Rizal Joins the Masonry
Rizal wrote this essay when he was 21 years
old, under the pseudonym Laong Laan. Came Rizal had been exposed to Liberal ideas,
out on August 20,1882 in the Diariong Tagalog stressing the value of individual freedom of
in Manila. action on matters of religion and expression.
He joined the Masonry for the following
The essay El Amor Patrio was Rizal’s first probable reasons
nationalistic essay when he urged the Filipino
to love their motherland. For Rizal, loving one’s - The ideals of free masonry such as
country was the greatest, most heroic, sublime equality, brotherhood, and adherence to
or disinterested sentiment a person could have. rationalism appealed to Rizal
Filipinos, according to Rizal should not fear - His association with many masons
losing their lives, because they are going to live - The possible assistance the masons can
their country two immense fortunes, namely: extend him in his struggle against
Liberty and Glory. Spanish tyranny and oppression.

After the El Amor Patrio, Rizal stopped He became a Master Mason in Lodge
producing nationalistic articles. His Solidaridad on November 15,1890.
unproductiveness could be attributed to three Rizal’s Toast to Luna and Hidalgo
factors:
Luna was awarded a gold medal for his
- The opposition of his mother painting, the Spolarium; while Hidalgo, a silver
- The difficulty of recognition in a foreign medal for his entry, Christian Virgins Exposed
country to the Populace.
- His desire to finish his studies
The speech of salute Rizal delivered during the
Rizal Moves to Madrid occasion came to be called Brindis.
With the end of summer vacation, Rizal moved From the Brindis, can be noted Rizal stressing
to the capital city of Spain in September 1882 on the idea that the Lune and Hidalgo’s
to resume his studies. He enrolled in paintings were the reflections of the reality of
philosophy and letters and licentiate in politics, society, and moral life of the Filipinos
medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid. under the Spanish conquerors.
He took the medical examination from June 5 Dona Teodora’s reactions on Rizal’s
to 26. He passed the examination. Rizal was
Speech
awarded the degree of Licentiate in Medicine
for passing the medical examination for the In her letter to Rizal she advised him to refrain
course. from writing articles that might offend the friars
and the Regime and that he should not fail in
his duties as a Christian. Rizal responded to Rizal presented a proposal on writing a novel
her mother by stressing the followings points: about the Philippines to the Circulo-Hispano
Filipino on January 2,1884.
- He will still have enemies, even if he
puts an end to writing articles One year after. Pedro Paterno published his
considered anti-Spanish and anti-friars novel entitled Ninay, with its subtitle
- Life can’t be without any sorrow Costumbres Filipinas (Philippines Customs).
- Misfortunes are welcomed when they
can avert debasement and degradation Ideas on Writing a Novel about the
- People have to put their trust in God in Philippines
the sincerity of their purpose The Spoliarium was perceived by Rizal as a
- The best legacy parents can give their reflection of the spirit of the social, moral, and
children are upright judgement, political life of his time because it clearly
generosity in the exercise of rights, and showed mankind under severe ordeal, mankind
perseverance in adversity unredeemed, and reason and aspiration in an
- A son can pay honor to his parents thru open struggle with fanaticism and injustice.
honesty and good name
- Conscience has to decide whether to Another source was the Uncle Tom’s Cabin by
submit or perish in the society where a Harriet Beecher Stow. This novel portrayed the
person is born brutalities committed by the American slave-
- Religion is the holiest of things but a owners against their Negro slaves.
person can only believe by reasoning
Third source for novel, Rizal was then
- Conscience can accept only what is
conceptualizing was the anti-clerical novel
compatible with reason
authored by Eugene Sue- Wandering Dew.
Rizal in Paris (1885-1886) This novel made a great impression on Rizal.
The Wandering Jew could have probably been
Rizal worked as an assistant at the eye clinic of used by Rizal as his model to arouse the
Dr. Louis de Wecker, for four months from Dr. feeling against the existing Philippine situation
de Wecker and communicate to the Filipinos the ideals he
wanted them to embrace.
Rizal in Heidelberg, Germany
Rizal left Paris for Germany. He left Paris due The Writing of the Noli Me Tangere
to high cost of living, which he could not cope Rizal started writing the Noli Me Tangere in
with. 1884, while he was studying in Europe. He
He was privileged to work at the eye hospital of completed one half of the novel in Madrid.
the university, under the tutelage of Dr. Otto One-fourth of the novel was written when he
Becker. was at Paris, while the remaining one-fourth
was completed in Berlin, Germany on February
A Las Flores del Heidelberg 21,1887. The novel came off the press on
March 23,1887, with the financial assistance of
Poem of two of the greatest loves of man on
Maximo Viola.
earth. It is a poem of remembrance and a
poem of the motherland. Dr. Pio Valenzuela helped Rizal published El
Filibustersmo through financial assistance.
Chapter 7
Founding of La Liga Filipina
A Proposal on Writing a Novel about
the Philippines On July 03,1982, Rizal founded the La Liga
Filipina in Calle Ilaya, Tondo, in the home of
Doroteo Ongjuangco. Elected president was On march 22,1897 held in Barrio Tejeros, San
Ambrosio Salvador. Francisco de Malabon, Cavite Province, the
delegates voted to do away with the Katipunan,
1. Agustin de la Rosa – Fiscal
they argued that the inslated fragmentation that
2. Bonifacio Arevalo – Treasurer
had aided the Katipunan’s secrecy had outlived
3. Deodato Arellano – Secretary
its usefulness; in a wide-open national war for
Other memebrs: Apolinario Mabini, Andres independence, unified leader was required. A
Bonifacio, Deodata Arellano, Timoteo Paez, well-defined structure was needed to steer a
Numeriano Adriano, Tomas Del Rosario, and combat force of thousands. Bonifacio did not
Jose M. Dizon. strongly object; the convention went ahead and
formed the “Pamahalaang Tagapamatnugot ng
Objectives Paghihimagsik” or Central Revolutionary
1. Unite the archipelago into one compact Government. Andres Bonifacio presided over
and homogenous body the convention. After a debate between the
2. Mutual protection for everyone and Magdiwang and Magdalo members to respect
necessity the result of the election. When Bonifacio was
3. Defense against maladministration of about to take his oath as Director of Interior of
justice and defense against oppression the Revolutionary Government, Daniel Tirona
4. Encourage the people to engage in protested against Bonifacio because of his
agriculture commerce and industry meager educational attainment. Evidently the
5. To study and application of reform Caviteno elit could not accept and
“uneducated” man and a non Caviteno.
Founding of KKK (Kataastaasang According to Tirona, the position of the Director
Kagalang galangang Katipunan ng of Interior is exalted position and should be
mga anak ng bayan) given to a lawyer. “we have a lawyer here in
Cavite, Jose del Rosario it will be better to
Founders: replace Bonifacio”. The angry Bonifacio
1. Andres Bonifacio claimed that “we have an agreement before the
2. Deodato Arellano election that “whatever is the result of election
3. Valentine Diaz it should be respected, and why are you
4. Teodoro Plata protesting against me”. Daniel Tirona
5. Ladiz Lao Diwa abandoned Bonifacio instead of asking for
apology. Bonifacio took his revolver to shoot
Objectives tirona.
- Political – uniting the Filipino as one Emilio Aguinaldo President
- Moral – Teaching morally upright Mariano Trias Vice President
- Civic – Helping others as a member Artemio Ricarte Captain-General
Emiliano Reigo de Director of War
1st Katipunan – Anak ng bayan
Dios
2nd Kawal – Gomburza Pascual Alvarez Director of Interior
Jacinto Lumbreras Director of State
3rd Bayani – Rizal Baldomero Aguinaldo Director of Finance
How they communicate Mariano Alvarez Director of
Commerce
(A-1) (B-2) (C-3) Severino de las Alas Director of Justice

Tejeros Convention
Rizal Builds his Home at Talisay
Rizal stayed with Captain Carnicero at the Josephine’s presence made life bearable for
beginning of his exile in Dapitan. Rizal won Rizal in Dapitan. Rizal experience difficulties
20,000 at a lottery. with Father Obach, the parish priest of Dapitan,
who insisted that a retraction if necessary
1. Casa cuadrada
before any marriage between Rizal and
2. Casa Hexagonal – academics
Josephine can be officiated. Rizal was not
3. Casa Octagonal – animals
inclined to agree with this requirement but was
Andres Bonifacio requested/inform Rizal if eager to make his relationship legal, a church
when should the revolution start. Rizal said that ceremony was absolutely necessary, he
now is not the time to start a revolution due to: argued with Father Obach who decided to refer
the matter to the Bishop of Cebu.
1. No unity
2. No sufficient arm/weapons After their common-law marriage, Josephine
3. No good leader delivered prematurely baby boy who died a few
hours after birth. She gave birth as a
consequences of a quarrel with Rizal. Rizal
named the still born baby as Francisco, after
his father and buried him under a santol tree in
Rizal and Josephine Bracken Dapitan.
Rizal’s fame as an ophthalmologist spread Rizal as an Exile
beyond Dapitan and the Philippines. Many
visited Rizal in his clinic in the town but none of He demonstrated in Dapitan what a man can
them was so beautiful than Josephine do and accomplish within so little time. This
Leopoldine Bracken. Josephine and his uncle. had been brought in part by long years of
Mr George Taufffer, traveled all the way from studious and hard work, backed up by a worthy
Hong Kong, with a card of introduction from objective and determination to succeed.
Julio Llorente. As historical accounts would attest, Rizal in
Josephine’s arrival in Dapitan drastically Dapitan has become
changed Rizal’s daily routines. With the - First to introduce social and
passing of days, he found himself head over environmental engineering
heels in love with Josephine, who in turn, - The first rural doctor
reciprocated Rizal’s feelings for her. - The first professional to engage in
Rizal’s relatives and friends looked upon her business
with suspicion. In fact, rumors spread in - First practitioner of town planning and
Dapitan that Josephine was not really an beautification
adopted daughter of Mr. Tauffer but a café - First to introduce the principles of
singer in Hong Kong. Rizal’s sisters suspected livelihood and self-reliance programs
Josephine of being a spy of friars with evil - First to show the way to community
plans and asked their brother not to eat any development
food that she might prepare. - Fist ophthalmic surgeon
- First to set up a precursor of the modern
Tauffer, then left Dapitan and insisted community schools
Josephine accompany him. Josephine did not - First community teacher
go against the demand. Josephine took refuge - First systematic collector
in the house of Rizal’s mother, to whom she - First in sanitary engineering and public
brought Rizal’s letter of introduction. health work
 - First Filipino doctor with a social The Last Remaining Hours on Earth
conscience
The verdict of death sentence was read to
Rizal Sails to Spain for Cuba Rizal on December 29,1896. At the outset,
Rizal refused to sign it owing to his innocence
On September 03, 1896, Rizal boarded the
and objection to his being labeled as a Chinese
steamer Isla de Panay, which shall ferry him to
mestizo. With only twenty-four hours remaining
Barcelona, Spain. He was so happy. He felt
on earth, Rizal sent a note to his family, as he
that he succeeded in his race against
wants to see them before his execution. The
revolution.
day proved to be a hectic one for him as
While the ship was passing through Suez visitors come and go; members of his family;
Canal, a telegram reached the ship ordering journalists; his defense counsel; Jesuits and
that Rizal should be arrested and detained at other friars who were convincing Rizal to back
the captain’s cabin. This shocked Rizal so to the fold of Catholicism.
much.
The Execution of a Hero
By October 3,1896, Rizal reached Barcelona.
He was heavily guarded and detained as a Rizal woke up early in spite of physical and
prisoner at the steamer Isla de Panay. mental fatigue he had the previous day. After
taking his breakfast at 5:30 in the morning, he
Don Pedro advised him to take advantage of took time to write two letters: one for his family;
the protection of the British law, while their ship and other one for Paciano.
was temporarily docked at Singapore.
The Last March and Execution of
Rizal’s friend in Europe learned of what Rizal
happened to him and decided to come to his
rescue. Regidor and Lopez transmitted Rizal’s last march began at exactly December
telegrams to an English lawyer in Singapore, 30,1896 at 6:30 in the morning. Rizal sported a
Hugh Fort to rescue Rizal by means of a writ of black suit and vest with a black hat. Although
habeas corpus. This, however, failed as a his arms were tied behind his back, he walked
Chief Justice Lionel Cox did not grant the writ serenely as if nothing would happen to him.
of habeas corpus, as the steamer Colon, Behind him were Lieutenant Taviel de
carrying Spanish troops, a war vessel, was not Andrade, his defender, Father March, Father
within the jurisdiction of the British authorities in Vilaclara. Marching behind them, with pomp
Singapore based on existing international law. and precision, was a platoon of Spanish
soldiers.
The steamer arrived in Manila on November
3,1896. Under tight security, Rizal was brought Upon arriving at Bagumbayan Field, Rizal bid
and incarcerated at Fort Santiago. Meanwhile goodbye to Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade,
the Spanish authorities commenced their the two priests who accompanied him in the
expedition of fishing all evidences that can be march and finally, to Josephine. Dr. Felipe
used against Rizal. Those who sympathized Castillo, a military physician, checked his pulse
with Rizal were harassed and tortured. and found it normal. Before execution, Rizal
requested the commander of the cavalry that
The Trial of Rizal he be shot facing his executioners considering
Rizal’s case was turned over to Dominguez he was not a traitor. The request was denied
and Alcocer on December 19,1896 for as the Spanish officer has a standing order
prosecution. The trial commenced on from higher authorities that Rizal should be
December 26 at the Halls of Banners of Cuartel shot at the back.
de Espana.
The trumpet sound again signaling the
commencement of the execution. As the
commander shouted Fuego or fire, the guns of
the firing squad rang out in a row, Rizal slowly
turned his back to the firing squad, faced the
sea and fell to the ground. The military band
played the Marcha de Cadiz, Spain’s national
hymn. Shouts of Viva Espana (Long Live
Spain) and Muerte A Los Traidores (Death to
the Traitors) could be heard all over the place
at exactly 7:03 in the morning. It was all over
Rizal had been executed.